Friday, August 15, 2008 Gin Kings, Express break 2-2 tie today
MANILA—Barangay Ginebra and Air 21 Express will break the 2-2 deadlock when they meet today in Game 5 of the best-of-seven championship series at the Cuneta Astrodome.
After the Kings leveled the series over the Express the other day, the team which will win the fifth has a high 79 percent chance to win the championship. At least records shows 26 of 33 teams did it since 1982.
The kings won Game 1 (105-96) and Game 4 (90-77), while the Express dominated Game 2 (124-90) and Game 3 (97-87).
Coach Jong Uichico is again expected to rely on Chris Pacana, who scored 14 points and made three rebounds in the fourth match, while Paul Artadi also made up for the absence of Jay-Jay Hilterbrand by firing 13 points and pulling down 5 rebounds.
Uichico said that the Kings determination to secure its eighth title made them work hard to stage a strong comeback and keep their hopes alive.
“The determination is there. But we have a problem keeping them healthy always all throughout the series. Many of them are hurting already,” said Uichico, who is seeking for his seventh career title as a coach.
The Kings even led by as much as 15 in the 4th period, thanks to Chris Alexander’s back-to-back baskets.
The 7-foot Alexander went on to finish with 22 points on top of 18 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, which is more than the output of Air 21’s Steven Thomas, who settled with 19 points, 16 rebounds, one assist and four blocks. (FCC)
